Greetings from sunny Cebu and Bantayan Island was a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing place.  Something you might see in a travel brochure.  I have included a few of the many pictures taken there and hope you will enjoy them.  Close your eyes and you might even hear the waves breaking at the decks edge.

Getting there started with a taxi ride to Cebu North Bus terminal. We then caught a bus, (no air conditioned buses leaving). So we boarded a non a/c bus and headed north to the small port city of Hagnaya, Cebu.  This trip would take approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic and stops along the way.

As we left the big city behind the landscape changed dramatically.  We wound up and down mountains and hills. Winding ribbons of concrete, twisting and turning through small towns and villages.  The sea was usually ever present on our right. To the left was a stunning landscape of Coconut trees and vast sugar cane fields carved into the hills and valleys.

Scattered native nipa huts dotted the landscape as well as the roadside.  People selling their goods, everything from fresh fruit to dried fish.  Small boys running naked on the road side playing with discarded rubbish, yet always smiling and waving as we passed by.

Province life consists of a daily grind to make a few pesos to provide for the family. Back breaking work in the sugar cane fields for a mere 2 dollars or so a day. A 12-hour day, 6 to 7 days a week is the norm.  Day after day, week after week, year after year they toil.  Gripped in poverty till the day they die.  This is their reality, but they still have a smile on their weathered faces. This is the real Philippines, the worker bees of the colony providing for the fat to get fatter.

We stopped in numerous nondescript places along the way for passengers to board and disembark.  The driver and the conductor had a nonverbal communication system. A series of taps with his hole puncher on the overhead handrail and the bus stopped and started off again. We are now about halfway into our trip and still have not paid a fare.  The conductor made his way from front to back punching holes in slips of paper. Embark and disembark information, collecting money from each passenger.

He arrived at our seat, made a series of holes in our slips, and collected 240 pesos ($5.00).  I gave him a 500-peso bill and he walked off.  I think to myself “hum, where my 260 pesos change is”.  I had did some reading before taking this bus journey and remembered that it’s a common practice if he has no change.  However, not to worry, he never forgets.  An hour or so goes by and we stop for a 15 minute break. Comfort Room(restroom), a smoke and a coke before starting again.

Meantime and older Filipina, perhaps in her mid to late 70’s had sat down beside me.  She shyly glanced at my light skin from time to time if she thought I was not looking.  I did the same to her.  The deep lines in her weathered tanned face told many stories.

I wondered about her life, her hardships, and her joys. I thought about her age and the fact she had probably endured WWII, and the Japanese Occupation of her homeland when she was a young beautiful Filipina.  I truly wished I could speak her language and open this wealth of information and human interest sitting beside me.

Lyn was taking pictures out the window as our journey continued.  I saw the curiosity in the old woman’s eyes, as we looked at the pictures Lyn had just taken.  I thought to myself, maybe she has never seen a digital camera and the instant gratification one has from viewing pictures taken only seconds before. I quietly told Lyn to take her picture when she was not looking. Lyn says, “no” and I said ”give me the camera.”  I took Lyn’s picture and purposely let the old woman see what I was doing. She saw the picture as I viewed it and smiled.  I slowly sat the camera on my knee, as she turned her head and giving me a profile, click the deed was done. I slowly fiddled with the camera until I saw her watching again and replayed the picture of her I had just taken.  Her face lit up and she pointed at herself as if to say, that is me. I nodded and motioned the camera at her to ask permission to take another.  She pointed at herself again and I nodded, she smiled and I took another.  She was delighted when I showed her the display.

The bus stopped again shortly, she stepped off and disappeared down a dusty trail leading off into the dense vegetation.  Maybe to where she had lived all her life.  Perhaps I left her too with a story to tell as well.  I would like to think so.

The bus continued and we stopped in a small town.  No one boarded or disembarked, and then I noticed the conductor crossing the road to a small gas station.  I queried Lyn as to what he was doing, “maybe change,” she said.  “I hope so” I replied.  He boarded and off we were again. He started at the front again handing money to various passengers.  Upon making his way back to us he said, “500 pesos right?” I nodded in agreement and he handed me 260 pesos. Two and half hours had elapsed, I guess they don’t forget.

The scenery has flattened out now and the smell of fish drying in the sun fills the air.  A sure sign we are approaching the sea and ferry landing. We bounce down a non-paved dusty road and stop.  At last we have arrived at Hagnaya port.  We disembarked and made our way through a horde of hawkers and vendors selling everything imaginable.

We purchased tickets for the 1 hour ferry ride across to Bantayan Island.  First class this time with a/c cabin, 260 pesos ($5.40. I texted our host, Robert, to let him know that we were leaving Hagnaya in 1 hour to make our crossing. To my surprise he was their too, treated us to a soft drink and rode with us across.

Robert is from Germany and owns the house I had rented. He also owns the Jungle Restaurant and has lived on the Island the last seven years.  Although he is 71, he doesn’t look it.  He was a walking treasure trove of information.  We settled in for our one hour voyage.  The seas were calm and blue and “Con Air” was playing on the television.  Lyn watched intently, but understood little.  Robert and I chatted, discussing Filipino customs and mind set.  Finally, we pulled into the pier.

Robert had arranged a couple of pedal powered carts to deliver us to the house.  Through the small narrow village streets we rode, lined with an assortment of open-air restaurants and shops. Their thatched roofs, blending in harmoniously with the coconut trees and various tropical foliage.  I felt like I had gone back in time, a true paradise surrounded me.

About ten minutes later the narrow paved street turned to sand. The view was grand, the sandy beach and blue sea stretched out before me.  The cool breeze blowing in from the sea was a welcome relief.  We walked about fifty yards through the sand and there stood a large native house built on bamboo stilts about ten feet above the sandy beach.

Three sides are glass panels, one facing out to sea, the other two sides facing up and down the beach.  A coconut plank deck wraps around the three sides with bamboo railings.  The inside has marble tile floors, bamboo furnishing and Chinese decor abounds. Fresh cut yellow flowers are on every table. The exposed thatched roof rises twenty foot above the large living room.  A coconut tree comes through the floor and out the roof in one of the two air conditioned bedrooms.  Another penetrates the deck and out through the thatched overhang. For interior and exterior light, they all have dimmer switches for every mood. Two large bamboo loungers with 4-inch foam cushions, (each will accommodate two people easily) and bamboo table and chairs for breakfast grace the deck.  All facing the open blue sea.

Its ever present cooling breeze blows through the house when I open the glass door panels that lead out to the deck. The noise of the waves gently pounds the sand, the tide is coming in and the sun is fading.  Now the waves are disappearing underneath the deck.  To be closer to the sea one would need a boat.

I have arranged our dinner to be catered and served at the house tonight at 7:00.  A special evening and treat for Lyn as she has not a clue. Robert and his staff has prepared a feast that exceeds my request and expectations. The large dining room table is covered in various dishes, beef, chicken, fish, soup, salad, rice, 5 or 6 sauces and a few things I do not even know what was.  I assure you everything was excellent in taste and presentation. We grazed for perhaps one and a half hours. We then lay on the lounger listening to the waves and watching the small lights of native fishing outriggers dotting the sea before us.  It is well after midnight now and retreating inside seems almost like a punishment, but I want to rise early to see the sunrise.

Next Week will be the conclusion of Rob and Lyn’s trip.

At this point, if you want to continue your stay you must leave the country and return. At that point, your passport will show an exit stamp and a new entry stamp and you can stay again 16 or 24 months. Cost varies for each extension but it is somewhere around 3000 pesos ($65 USD). At the six-month extension, there is a higher fee and then if you plan to leave the country and return, you need to get an exit visa.

Accommodations:
There are many choices of stay in Davao and the rest of the bigger cities in the Philippines. I can only talk about Davao because I have not spent much time out of the city.

For a visitor to the city the available accommodations vary in quality and cost. One of the cheapest is a boarding house. These places are small and have little in what a foreigner would find desirable. The rooms are small and most times shared. A room for four would have two bunk beds. There is usually only one CR for the house and consist of a non-flushing toilet and a faucet to fill a pail of water to bucket shower.

Next is a Pension House. The amenities vary, some have air conditioners and some do not. Most have a shared CR. Prices range from around 695 pesos a night ($15 USD). I have never seen the insides but they cleanliness will probably vary with price.

There are many hotels here from the basic to the high end, 5 stars. The prices vary too and many times, you can get a discount from some of the booking sites. Since prices vary, I am not going to list them. Many of the hotels offer free wifi in the rooms, some charge.

There are also many Apartelles here, which are small rooms. They are clean and come furnished with hot water showers, TV’s, wifi. Some come with small kitchens. One I know of even has a pool and a small restaurant/bar if you do not want to travel and do not want to cook. These places cost around 1000 pesos ($22 USD) a day and for extended stay of over a month will give some discounted rates.

For longer stays, there are furnished and unfurnished houses and apartments available.

Restaurants:
Lately there have been more restaurants opening with a more international choice of foods. Again, prices vary. For a visitor, most of these higher end restaurants have cheap prices. Those on a budget can still find decent foods. If you want to be more native, there are little roadside Caranderias. At these places, you can get a meal for as little as 20 pesos ($0.50).

For high-end cuisines, you can eat for 1500 pesos ($30 USD) including a Black Angus steak. However, there are many restaurants where you can eat well for a third of the price.

There are many restaurants in Davao I enjoy that are not high priced and some higher end restaurants I do not frequent because of cost. My favorites are:
Boyd’s Pizza/pasta house on Palma Hill, Obrero,
Red Knight Gardens, in Guadalupe Village, Lanang
Coco’s on F. Torres, Bajada
Bigby’s Grill on Jacinto Ext., corner of F. Torres, Bajada

Transportation:
The basic transportation here is the Jeepney. It looks like an extended jeep that can sit approximately 18 passengers. It is open-air vehicle with vinyl windows that will be rolled down during rainstorms. This is to the Filipinos as a local bus in the States. An average ride costs 8 pesos ($0.17 USD). That is to cover a trip not more than 4 kilometers. After 4 KM, there is an additional 1-peso fare per KM. On the sides of the Jeepney their route is painted, which streets they travel and areas they travel too. For someone that does not know the city, it might be best to take a taxi.

Here in Davao most taxis are air-conditioned. There are still some non-aircon taxis but they are slowly being eliminated. The taxis are metered; the meter starts at 30 pesos for aircon and 26 peso for non-aircon.  Then the charge is 2.50 pesos per KM. Usually you can get to most places in town for around 100 pesos.

For short distances or in areas not covered by Jeepneys there are various types of vehicles powered by a motorcycle welded to a sidecar or a little van type size which can seat approx 8 passengers. There are also little 2-4 seat sidecar powered by a bicycle.

Budget:
It is hard to explain a budget since some live large and some are conservative. Then you have to look at how much you will travel around town, if you are going to the beach resorts on Samal or how you will spend your time and with who.

Some of the things you need to discuss with your girlfriend before you visit is who will be joining you for meals or activities or if you will be visiting her family. Many times a Filipina will ask to invite a friend or relative to join them. Other times I have seen foreign visitors at a restaurant with 10 Filipinos at the table.

Even if you explain to your girlfriend your limited budget for your visit, in many Filipinos mind foreign men are rich and can afford their every whim. You need to discuss this before you travel here and set your boundaries. I know we all want to impress and to treat our lady well, but you need limits.

If you are coming with no lady in mind to visit and just play the field, you will need more money. A date usually includes their transportation fees to meet you and their return trip, of course by taxi, meals, drinks and going to Karaoke or clubs. If you bring one of these ladies you meet to go back to your hotel, most will expect a monetary gift. I am not saying they all are prostitutes or whores, but many Filipinas use private time with a foreigner as a way to earn money.

In future articles I will try to discuss courting and visiting “The Family”

I encourage comments from past visitors experiences and questions from future visitors.

Now this is not the main reason for this article, but I want to explain a little history.

I had dreams of making an income from advertisements on the site. I soon found out, this is a difficult way to make an income online. Most readers of blogs come to read and do not even notice the ads. I then put the “Donate” button on the sidebar and then on the bottom of each post. Some readers have been kind and I do receive a donation at times, but this is not enough to support myself, my family or really cover the time and costs of this site.

I have mentioned my architectural experiences in articles and had a few who have inquired about me doing design, full construction documents for permitting and even managing construction. I have done a few designs and then never went further. I have wondered if my free designs were giving to someone else or not, I never made any money for my time.

I started this site mainly to journal my life as an American living in Davao, hence the name American in Davao.  At first, many of my articles and photos were about my family and my life. Over time, I have developed to write more about how life is here for a Foreigner in third world country.  I try to tell the truth and not “sugar coating” what observations or advice.  There are many wonderful parts to living here, but there are difficulties too. I have tried to assist people to understand how to conduct themselves here and how to be careful in different situations. Many times my wife Elena has assisted too.

Over time, I have had many comments or direct emails asking for advice, information or even assistance. I have helped visitors find accommodations, helped locate restaurants, doctors and shopping. I have had many emails from future Expats-to-be or from men with online girlfriends who were planning to move here and I have offered any assistance I can give.

Last month I was surprised when I received an email from an International Relocation Service. They had a client company sending a representative here to Davao to open a branch office. I was offered the position as a consultant to assist this person find acceptable accommodations such as a furnished house or apartment, obtaining a bank account, services and a list of restaurants, entertainment, attractions and activities.  I would be paid for expenses, mileage and an hourly rate for a preset number of hours.  The hourly rate was good even if I was in the states.

I accepted the offer and then started trying to locate high-end furnished rentals. This was no easy task. It is not like in the states with magazines and classifieds listing all the apartments and houses for rent. There are some websites that individual real estate agents have, but sometimes they do not have decent descriptions, places shown are already rented or the furnishings are not what would be desired. I felt it was my responsibility to visit as many as I could before this man arrived. I did not want to embarrass myself by bringing him to a location and discovering there was problems.

In addition, many real estate agents do not want to show a property to someone in my position with the fear I would steal the business and they would lose their commission. I did locate a few on my own and found some to be below the standard needed and one that was great. I also planned to show him a place that would be good for a temporary   residence until we could find something better.  To make this long story shorter, we found a place he liked and with my wife’s help, we negotiated a good price.

During this process, I received an email from a man planning to come here in the near future and asked, from reading my site, if I offer any services.  I told him I could offer myself and car for transportation around town, help him find accommodations and local attractions he might enjoy. I told him I would not help him find women or clubs where he can find women.

This man replied he was coming to meet his online girlfriend and offered to pay me to drive them to different attractions in the city. He stated he did not want to ride Jeepneys or has to worry about hiring drivers and/or taxis where language could present a problem.

Today I met a person who is somewhat new to the city. While we were talking about these services, he told me, if he had known about me before he moved here, he would have liked to have someone who could have assisted him finding an apartment, finding and purchasing furnishings and even getting services such as cable and internet. He said he would have had no problem paying me for my time assisting him.

Another friend I have made is planning to come visit his girlfriend he met online. Her birthday is soon and asked if my wife would assist him in buying her a present. He sent us the funds for the purchase. Elena was happy to assist. For this, he offered to take us to dinner once here and to bring both of us certain items we would like from the States.

Some people I have met through this site have offered remuneration, bringing me items from the states I might need, or just a nice dinner with my wife. All of these offers have been nice.  Even though I would like to earn a steady income, being able to assist fellow foreigners with needs, information or advice is something I am enjoying and will continue to do so. If there is a way to assist and earn, I am not against that either. From these few earnings and from the donations I have received it makes me feel it was the right thing to keep this site going and continue the time to write articles and answer comments.

It is also all my visitors to my site that shows me this site has a need and a worth.  Even though it is difficult to find items to write the three articles I try to publish every week, I will do so as long as I am able.

Thank you all for showing me my effort and work is appreciated.

I receive emails often from readers about places to stay when visiting, planning an extended stay or actually moving to Davao.

This is a difficult question to answer. There are many places here in Davao. For Hotels there are many from high rated Hotels to small inexpensive ones.

If someone is planning to stay for a few days or just one or two weeks I would suggest a hotel and there are many sites that list the hotels and give discounts.

For someone planning to stay for one month to a few months, a hotel can get quite expensive.

Also if you planning to move here and need time to look for a house or apartment rental, you need time to learn the city and decide what part or area you prefer to live.

I do suggest if you’re looking to buy or build a home, taking the time to look around the different areas of subdivisions are even more important since you do not want to buy and then decide you prefer to live elsewhere.

One nice option here for monthly rates if you’re visiting, or just a decent place and price as you get your bearings is an Apartelle. An apartelle is a term for a small efficiency type of apartment. They come in different sizes and amenities.

As a way to help and advise some of the email queries I received I had visits a few of these places and I found one that I was impressed with. It is called Jun-Del Apartelle. It is in Bajada in the Rivera Village Subdivision. They have two buildings, one when you first enter the subdivision and one around the corner.

All of their units have cable TV, an aircon unit, a decent size CR (bathroom) with lavatory, flush toilets and a shower with a water heater unit, a refrigerator, queen size bed, built in wardrobe and a table with chairs. They also have wifi for internet access. Rooms are cleaned daily and bed linens changes every week.

They also have at both locations a small store to buy drinks, snacks and some canned items.

The location nearest the entry to the subdivision has nice and comfortable size rooms with all the items listed. Out front they have a nice area to sit, a TV and a pool table. There is also a community kitchen to use for cooking and an area to do your laundry with clothes lines to dry. They also have a covered roof deck to relax with an area for a massage therapist on call to come and relieve any tensions.

The other location has 2 size rooms with kitchens. The bigger accommodation has a Queen size bed, small couch that can be opened for an extra bed and phones. The kitchen comes with a rice cooker, electric burner to cook plus pots, pans, dishes, flatware and glasses.

There are also smaller units with a  single bed and kitchen.

It also has a nipa style gazebo to sit out at and parking inside the compound.

Both locations also have nighttime security. Laundry service is avaliable for a small fee. During heavy rains, at times, it is difficult to get a taxi. If this happens the owner will come pick you up with their vehicle.

Currently the rates per month are as follows:

Units without kitchens:                   12,000 Php
Larger Units with kitchen:
Ground Floor: 21,000 Php
Second and Third Floor: 18,000 Php
Small single bed units w/ kitchen 12,000Php

As you see from the photos both locations are bright and clean.

I have gotten to know the owners and if you need, I can contact them and check availability and make reservations for you. If you’re already in Davao, I would be happy to drive you there and make introductions to get you the best deal.

When checking in they need one month’s deposit and a months advance.

In part 1 I mentioned how I started using the internet to look for a future wife. At first I was in communication with ladies from China and Thailand. Some had a knowedge of english, but most had very little or none at all.  I then realized from my past, that English is/was taught in the Philippines.

From then on I concertrated my chat with Filipinas since they knew English. Over a few weeks I found a few ladies I was interested in and would chat frequently. As we got to know each other better, I would find things that was not compatible with my needs, my philosophy in life or different from my needs. At the time I had a 2 bedroom townhouse. Some women had a few small children and I was thinking, I would need a bigger home that I could not afford at the time. Others would tell me, even though they had children, they would leave them with their mother or family member with no intention to ever bring to the US.

There was one that was very religious and felt, no matter what, God would provide. I am not an atheist but I do not feel God will help anyone that doesn’t help themselves.

Well one Saturday morning, I was in the site and looking at the photos of ladies online and I saw Elena’s photo. I thought she was beautiful and then read her profile. She was single, no kids, had a college degree, a good job and owned her own home.

Elena had her own computer at home, so it was not waiting for a lady to go to the Internet Café. We started chatting and got to know each other. At first we would chat 2 or 3 times a week on Yahoo Messenger . Then it became every evening for me, morning for her, before she left for work. After a few weeks it was every morning and evening.

Over the next months we would talk about everything, life, loves, and feelings. Nothing was kept secret.  About 6 months later, I decided to fly to the Philippines for 10 days and meet Elena in person. Elena lived in a city on Mindanao that was not too safe for a foreigner to visit, so we decided we meet in Manila. So I went online and found a good deal on Continental Airlines.

What a trip. It started in Florida at about 9am, my next stop was Newark, New Jersey with a 4 hour layover. Then from there the next flight went over the North Pole to a stop in Hong Kong, China. Then a switch to Cathay Airlines to Manila. I did not arrive until 11:45PM. All in all I think it was about 17 hours of travel.

Elena arrived earlier than my long flight. When I got to the exit, I looked for Elena and then was informed security will not allow Filipinos to enter the airport to meet arriving passengers so I found my driver from the hotel and he called Elena on his Cell. Next thing I know I see Elena crossing the street and my first thought, she was more beautiful in person than her photos or the lady I looked at for months on a web cam.

After traveling for about 18 hours and not being able to sleep on the flights, we went to the hotel, checked in and then just talked a little before I needed to sleep. What a first night, Elena having to listen to my snoring through the night.

Because both Elena and I were strangers to Manila we did not know what to do with our days. Each morning Elena would make me a cup of the complementary coffee in the room and once showered and dressed we would go down to the buffet breakfast. The buffet had foods for all types of foreigners. I would usually have eggs and either French toast, pancakes or waffles.

We became friendly with the Assistant Manager Chona. She would always watch over us and when I needed ore coffee, instead of the pot used for most, she would make me a fresh cup. That was one of the beginning signs of the hospitality of Filipinos especially if you are nice to them.

In the first few days we would go down to the hotel pool, browse around a small mall across the street, of just go to the room to get to know each other better.

One morning, talking to Chona, we talked about things to see in the city. I wanted to see Corregidor, a small rocky island which is at the entrance of Manila Bay. Growing up watching all the WWII movies, I wanted to see such a historical place.

We hired a driver from the hotel to take us to the dock where you take a boat to the island. When you arrive you are brought to the Corregidor Hotel where you are severed a buffet lunch. Waiting for the tour to arrive I met Sheila, one of the tour guides. She was fun and liked to joke. So we made sure we got on her tour bus. We saw the place General McArthur said the famous words “I shall return.”

It was a fun day especially with the joking from Sheila. There was also a Filipina on the tour whose father was on the Baatan Death March and related a story. He survived the march because of Filipinos would toss down to the marching captives water and foods wrapped in Banana leaf parcels.

We also went to see Fort Santiago, which is part of the walled city of Intramuros. They had bronze statues of men in military uniforms to make it feel more realistic.

In the evenings we usually went to the lobby where they had a bar, seating and some form of live music.

All in all, Elena showed me the loving hospitality a Filipina has for her man. From making me coffee in the room, helping me with my clothes in the room, always concerned with me for my comfort, eating, beverages. What to do or not do being a stranger in her country.

We were like young lovers. If we were in the room, she would squeeze in next to me in the arm chair I would sit. We would walk holding hands or arms around each other.

The day we were to fly back to our perspective homes, there was tears in our eyes as I got out of the taxi at the International departure area at the airport.

Elena decided she would take me there for my birthday. We also decided to invite a few friends to meet us there for dinner to help me celebrate.

So, on the afternoon of November 12th we packed up a few things and headed off to the Marco Polo Hotel accross from Ateneo University downtown Davao.

At our arrival I was impressed with the modern and bright lobby. Then at the registration desk the desk clerk George told us about the advantages of upgrading our room to the “Continental Club” for only 1500 Php. With the upgrade we got a better room on the top floor. It also gave us use of the Continental Club room on the 17th floor.

Elena went through the membership coupons and asked about the free cake. George unfortunately pointed out you need to order it 24 hours in advance. Elena mentioned it was for my birthday. George told us he would take care of it.
(our room was top floor second window from left after the pop out)

We then proceeded to our room. It was on the 18th floor with a beautiful view of Mt. Apo. In the room we read the advantages of the Continental Club. One of these was free tea, coffee and pastries from 3pm to 5pm. They also have complementary cocktails from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evenings and breakfast in the morning. Since we had a busy morning and did not eat any lunch we went there at 3.

It was a nicely furnished room with tables and chairs, couches and easy chairs with tables, a TV area, magazines, books and newspapers. It also had a nice view of Davao Gulf and Samal Island.

As we entered, a pretty attendant, Michele, came to greet us and walked us to the table of our choice and then went to get us cups of coffee. We went to look at the pastries and my “Sweet Tooth” jumped to attention. They had a wonderful variety of small pastries and we put a few on our plates and returned to our table.

A few moments later Michele returned with our coffee and started to chat with us. She was sweet and we got to know her better. When Elena mentioned it was my birthday and our plans to have dinner in the hotel, she asked Elena which restaurant was our choice so she could make us reservations. I told her I was going to wait until our friend arrived and we would decide together.

After we returned to our room the phone rang and when I answered someone asked to speak to Elena. They then conversed in Bisaya so I did not what was going on.

About 6pm we went back to partake in the cocktails. They had different liquors, wines and beers. I am a rye whisky drinker but that is not available anywhere in Davao, so I ordered strong citron absolute vodka with tonic and a weaker one for Elena. We then walked up to the buffet to see cheeses, fruits, sushi, sashimi and California rolls of which included a platter of tuna. There was also chicken on skewers and breads.

I have never been a fan of raw fish but decided to try, so I took a California roll and a few slices of the tuna. I also took some of the blue cheese and a slice of bread. Well after mixing some wasabi in the little plate of soy sauce and dipping in the tuna, yummy. I went back for more and must have eaten about a dozen slices.

It was now about 6:30, the time we had planned to meet our friends in the lobby, so we said goodbye to Michele, who reminded us to call her the moment we decided which restaurant we choose, and took the elevator down to the ground floor.

Once there we met up with our friends Ted and Arnie, Reg and Liz and Faher Tom. We sat and chatted for a little while and had a cocktail. After we preceded to the Café Marco.

As we entered the restaurant we saw a table set up for us 7 with a reserved sign. We all sat and then proceeded to partake in the buffet. There were many different foods including raw meat and fish items that you give to a cook to cook it how you prefer. There was Prime Rib too and a few different types of Paella. I also saw a nice desert section. And yes, my “sweet tooth” was excited seeing bread pudding, mousse and other deserts.

As I was finishing up my last plate of food and thinking of the deserts I noticed the wait staff coming with a birthday cake. They all sang me Happy Birthday and put the cake and a bottle of wine on the table.

As we were enjoying the cake, Michele came in to make sure the cake was delivered and then I found out why the call to our room. Michele and Elena were in a conspiracy to make my birthday a happy one.

After we walked our friends out and into their taxis, we retired to our room where Elena was able to enjoy her Bubble Bath. Most homes here have just showers and it was nice to fill the tub with hot/warm water and use the bath beads and bubble bath to let my loving wife relax for a while.

The next morning we returned to the Continental Club where the buffet was filled with many breakfast items for both American and Filipino tastes. We then meet Maeryl, another pretty, sweet, friendly and courteous lady to assist us. As we sat at our table, she brought us juice, then coffee and then asked if we would like eggs. She recommended the veggie omelet which was delicious. Later we fresh made waffles.

Maeryl also mentioned we could complete our checkout there instead of going to the front desk.

We then went to our room and changed to use the pool which we could see from our window. The pool area was clean and attractive with a “Horizon” lap pool. There are even Cabana Rooms avaliable near pool. We choose a lounge chair and before we could sit a pool attendant brought us towels. Elena went first and then convinced me to join her. The water was perfect. Just cool enough to be refreshing but not so cold it shocks the system. After a while we decided to return to our rooms and get ready to return home.

In the room while Elena was showering the phone rang. It was George from the front desk to tell me he was sending something up. I thought it was a receipt for any charges, but a few minutes later the door bell rang and it was a Bellboy with an envelope and a small box. It was a nice “Happy Birthday” letter from George, the desk staff and the Marco Polo Family and another birthday cake.

We did our checkout as planned on the 17th floor at the Continental Club but then went to the front desk to thank George. As we crossed the lobby, all the staff looked to me and said Happy Birthday Mr. Linder. I was amazed they all knew my name and to give me their good wishes.

I do not know about the other hotels here in Davao since I have not visited them, but with the treatment I received, I had one of the best Birthdays ever. I also am amazed the “Privilege Membership” gave us all this and we only had to pay 1500 pesos for the upgrade and nothing else.

If anyone from the Marco Polo staff sees this, Thank you for such wonderful service. Also please leave a comment so I know you saw this.

I also want to say here “Thank you Honey for giving me such a fantastic and loving Birthday”